From acne to wrinkles to chronic conditions like rosacea, treating your skin can be a challenge. As the body’s largest organ, your skin has many layers and is highly influenced by genetic, environmental, and even hormonal patterns. What this means for you is that it can be difficult to treat most skin concerns by yourself. Fortunately, Vibrant Dermatology in Dedham, MA has skilled dermatologists who are experts at treating your skin and helping you achieve your aesthetic and skin health goals.
How a Dermatologist in Boston, MA Can Help You
A dermatologist is a medical professional who is trained in diagnosing and treating conditions of the hair, nails, and skin. Most skin experts are well-versed in treating both cosmetic and medical skin concerns. Whether you are concerned about the appearance of a mole or you are battling stubborn acne, a skin expert will have the expert skills and knowledge to address your skin concerns.
So, how does this type of skincare work? The very first step of your journey to healthy skin will start with a consultation appointment. During your consultation, you will go over all of your skin concerns with one of our dermatology experts, and your skin will be examined. After identifying any concerns, your provider will go over all of your treatment options, which may include:
SkinBar MD
SkinBar MD is a customized treatment plan tailored to your exact needs. This concept focuses on providing you effective, fast, and science-driven skincare treatments and products that are all centered around helping you bring your best skin forward. SkinBar MD is commonly recommended to patients who want to combine dermatology with aesthetic care, which means most people who want to take care of specific skin needs are good candidates.
Your SkinBar MD treatment will first start with a skin assessment that will create a detailed skin analysis of your skin. The skin analysis will identify your skin type and your skin concerns, which will then help our skin experts build your beauty plan. Your beauty plan will begin with a personalized 3-month treatment to correct skin concerns, and then an ongoing monthly maintenance plan to continue your desired results.
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetic dermatology is a term for treatments that focus on treating the superficial concerns of the skin. In other words, cosmetic dermatology is not related to treating specific skin conditions, but it is ideal for treating concerns about skin texture, tone, and volume. Many people consider cosmetic dermatology to be aesthetic treatments, and you may find many cosmetic dermatology treatments at a medspa. Some cosmetic dermatology treatments include:
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are some of the most popular injectable treatments in the world. Traditionally used to restore the volume in the skin to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dermal fillers come in a variety of unique formulas that can help you accomplish your desired aesthetic goals. Our dermal filler treatments include Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, and Sculptra. Dermal fillers can correct skin laxity, volume loss, and static wrinkles on the mid-face.
Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are injectable treatments that relax the muscles in the face to smooth away wrinkles. Neurotoxin treatments like Botox and Xeomin are commonly used to correct the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and can even be used to prevent the worsening of visible signs of aging. Usually, neurotoxin treatments can be used on most areas of the face, although they are most commonly used on the forehead and around the eyebrows.
Facials
Facials are some of the oldest treatments in the world, but modern facials have evolved to be highly effective at cleansing, exfoliating, and treating the skin. At our clinic, the Aqua Facial is one of the most effective facial treatments. This facial will exfoliate the skin, extract dirt and oil, and infuse the skin with ultra-hydrating serums to renew the skin. A facial like this one can be used to manage skin health and control acne.
Microneedling
Microneedling is an increasingly popular treatment that can induce the production of collagen deep within the sub-dermal layers of the skin. Microneedling works by piercing the skin with sterile microneedles, which then stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities to heal the micro-injuries created by the treatment device. The body will attempt to heal the skin by increasing collagen production and cellular turnover, which will then correct your age-related or scarring concerns.
Laser and Light Treatments
Laser and light treatments such as IPL treatments, NeoClear Laser, and NeoSkin Laser are all cosmetic treatments that can address several superficial concerns. IPL treatments, for example, are commonly used to correct hyperpigmentation, while some laser treatments can correct the appearance of sun damage, acne, and even certain types of scars. Using laser and light treatments can fully renew the appearance of your skin.
Medical Dermatology
Medical dermatology is another term for any dermatology treatment that addresses skin concerns that are caused by medical conditions. There are several ways a dermatologist can use medical dermatology treatments to correct concerns, such as oral or topical prescriptions, laser treatments, and even sometimes surgery depending on the condition. Medical dermatology can treat several skin conditions, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Acne
- Moles
- Autoimmune disorders
- Eczema and psoriasis
- Hyperpigmentation
- Keloid scars
- Melasma
- Rosacea
- Nail fungus
- Scarring
- Shingles
- Vitiligo
Medical dermatology can even treat skin cancer starting from initial diagnosis. In fact, it’s common for people who have had skin cancer to visit a dermatologist once every one to two years for a skin check to monitor the skin for any new developments of potential concerns, such as new moles or brown spots.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
There is no ideal age to seek treatment for skin concerns. Many people see dermatology experts as children or younger teens to address problems such as skin rashes or acne. As people get older, they may be more likely to see a skin expert for help treating other specific concerns, including concerns about aging or other superficial conditions.
Some people may try to wait until they have exhausted every at-home treatment for their skin concerns. Others may want to see a skin expert immediately when a skin issue is discovered. Ultimately, the best time to seek treatment is when you need help treating a skin condition.
Can a Dermatologist Make Skincare Product Recommendations?
Yes, a skin expert can make recommendations for products that will work best with your skin tone, type, and concern. In fact, relying on professional recommendations for skincare products may make it easier to find products that will enhance your skin health without expensive trial and error. Because a skin expert will understand the type of your skin, they will be able to easily identify products with ingredients that will work with your skin type to accomplish your goals.
Is Treatment Right for You?
Although you can see a skin expert at any age, some people may wait until their skin condition progresses past the point that can be addressed at home or with over-the-counter products. For example, it’s common for people with acne or eczema to use drug store products to treat their skin before scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist. But while at-home remedies may be able to help for a short period, most people will find that visiting a dermatologist is a more productive way to treat the skin.
That said, it may be time to seek specific treatments if you have chronic acne, ongoing rosacea, a rash that won’t go away, wrinkles that continue to deepen, dark spots, advanced sun damage, and more. In fact, you may even want to be proactive about seeking dermatology care if your self-confidence is suffering because of the condition or appearance of your skin.
Who Are the Best Candidates?
The best candidates for each dermatology treatment will depend on the issues that need to be addressed and the condition of the skin. A consultation and skin analysis can be used to identify the treatments that are most appropriate for your skin concerns. Candidates for dermatology care include people of any age, gender, skin type, and skin tone.
Renew Your Skin in Boston Today
When it comes to your skin, finding the right treatments by yourself can be a challenge. Fortunately, skin experts can analyze your skin and identify treatments that can help you renew the appearance of your skin easily. We know our science-driven approach can help you achieve healthy, glowing skin, so call our office today at Vibrant Dermatology in Dedham, MA to schedule your initial consultation.